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National Jewish Hospital and Research Center/National Asthma Center (U.S.)

 Organization

Dates

  • Usage: 1978 - 1985

Biography

In the late nineteenth century, Denver, Colorado, faced a severe social problem when hundreds of people severely ill with tuberculosis converged on the city, attracted by the reputation Denver had already acquired as the "world's sanatorium." Because of the onslaught of consumptives, beds for patients in city and state general hospitals were so scarce that the poor were frequently left to their own devices, often dying in the streets. One of the first people to conceive of a free hospital for the indigent tuberculosis victims in Denver was Frances Wisebart Jacobs. She launched a relentless campaign to arouse public awareness on behalf of the indigent consumptives, seeking the support of businesspeople and political leaders to raise funds for a new hospital. Jacobs found an ally in a young rabbi, William Sterne Friedman. Rabbi Friedman enlisted the financial support of some of the trustees of his congregation, Temple Emanuel, insisting that concern for the sick and indigent had always been a vital tenet of Jewish tradition. The original hospital, the Frances Jacobs Hospital, was not completed because of the silver panic of 1893. The hospital received financial assistance from the International Order of B'nai B'rith. This vital support came mainly through the efforts of Louis Anfenger, a local Jewish citizen who was also a founder of both Temple Emanuel and the Denver chapter of B'nai B'rith. National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives (NJH) opened its doors to Jews and gentiles alike in 1899 as the first sanatorium in Denver for tuberculosis victims. Samuel Grabfelder of Louisville, Kentucky served as president from 1899-1920; Seraphine Pisko was executive secretary (Director) from 1911-1938. Some of the physicians associated with the hospital included Dr. Saling Simon, Dr. Robert Levy, and Dr. John Elsner. The NJH adopted a program that emphasized the benefits of fresh air, proper nutrition, and rest.

As a result of national support, NJH introduced a revolutionary concept to tuberculosis treatment by offering free services to indigent consumptives. The motto was, "None can pay who enter, and None who enter can pay." Only patients with incipient tuberculosis, where treatment could be most effective, were to be admitted to NJH, and the length of stay was limited to six months. These conditions reflect the medical opinion of the time and the scarcity of hospital beds for consumptives. It was commonly thought that attempting to treat advanced cases only wasted time and money that could be more profitably directed toward patients who had a good chance of recovery. National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives changed its name several times, subsequently being known as National Jewish Hospital (1925-1964) and later becoming National Jewish Hospital and Research Center (1965-1977), National Jewish Hospital and Research Center/National Asthma Center (after merging with National Asthma Center in 1978), and National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine (1986-1996). In 1997, the organization changed its name to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center and focused on lung, allergic and immune diseases. It was renamed National Jewish Health in July 2008. The facility continues to treat patients from throughout the country, using cutting-edge medicine and research.

The National Asthma Center (NAC) also existed under a series of names. It was founded in 1907 by Fannie Lorber as the Denver Sheltering Home for Jewish Children; from 1928-1952, it was called the National Home for Jewish Children in Denver; from 1953-1956, it was the Jewish National Home for Asthmatic Children in Denver; from 1957-1972, it was the Children's Asthma Research Institute and Hospital (CARIH); and from 1973-1977, it was the National Asthma Center. In 1978, it merged with the National Jewish Hospital to become the National Jewish Hospital and Research Center/National Asthma Center (1978-1985.) It evolved from sheltering home for tuberculosis "orphans" to become a residential treatment facility for children with intractable asthma and a research hospital.

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

National Jewish Hospital Records

 Collection
Identifier: B005
Abstract In 1899, the Jewish community erected the non-sectarian National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives (NJH), the first sanatorium in Denver, Colorado, for tuberculosis victims. With the financial assistance of the International B'nai B'rith fraternal organization, patients from all over the U.S. were admitted free of charge. The NJH adopted a program that emphasized the benefits of fresh air, proper nutrition, and rest. The hospital was founded by a group of Jewish residents of Denver who were...
Dates: 1892-2017

NJH Menus, 1917-1926

 File
Identifier: B005.06.0220.0003
Abstract

File contains menus from National Jewish Hospital (NJH) in Denver, CO. from 1917 to 1926. File includes handwritten notes about menus for the week, small typed menus for individual days with a place at the bottom for the patient's name, and large typed menus for individual days. NJH menu items are listed. Food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is listed on each menu.

Dates: 1917-1926

Oral History Interview with Anne Niblock, 1978 October 25

 Item
Identifier: B098.12.0010.00004
Abstract

Anne talks about coming to Denver to finish her degree at the University of Denver and started working for National Jewish Hospital as the only teacher for the students grades 1-7, all the children were patients at the Hospital, she functioned as a teacher, foster mother, counselor; associated with the Denver Public School System.

Dates: 1978 October 25

Oral History Interview with Eugene Farkas, 1978 May 3

 Item
Identifier: B098.01.0002.00032
Abstract

Interview discusses life in Hungary, immigration to Argentina, life in Argentina, immigration to the United States and life in New York and Denver. Contracted tuberculosis in New York, came Denver and was at NJH for about one year.

Dates: 1978 May 3

Oral History Interview with Richard Bluestein, 1978 May 11

 Item
Identifier: B098.12.0010.00007
Abstract

Covers a bit of his experience before coming to National Jewish Hospital- lawyer in Cincinnati, Anti-Defamation League during WWII, contributions he helped make to NJH, growth and development of NJH over his time there as CEO (1962-1982); NJH mergers, development, fundraising and research.

Dates: 1978 May 11